Theos-Talk Archives (May 1998 Message tt00372)

Dallas,

But what does initaion actually involve? How does one experience "the
Mysteries (in) the passage from mortal life into finite death, and
(t)he experience of the disembodied Spirit and Soul in the world
of subjectivity."
Surely without initiation the deepest theosophical concepts must remain a
mystery? Does the ES offer initiation? Would it be legal under US drug laws?

At 04:47 AM 5/20/98 -0700, you wrote:
>May 20th 1998
>
>INITIATION  --  is defined on p. 156 of THE THEOSOPHICAL GLOSSARY
>by HPB in part as follows:
>
>"From the same root as the Latin "initia," which means the basic
>or first principles of any Science.  The practice of initiation
>or admission into the sacred Mysteries, taught by the Hierophants
>and learned priests of the Temples, is one of the most ancient
>customs.  This was practiced in every old national religion.  In
>Europe it was abolished with the fall of the last pagan temple.
>There exists at present but one kind of initiation known to the
>public, namely that into the Masonic rites.  Masonry, however,
>has no more secrets to give out or conceal.  In the palmy days of
>old, the Mysteries according to the greatest Greek and Roman
>philosophers, were the most sacred of all solemnities as well as
>the most beneficent, and greatly promoted virtue.  The Mysteries
>represented the passage from mortal life into finite death, and
>the experiences of the disembodied Spirit and Soul in the world
>of subjectivity."
>
>More references on this can be found in the GLOSSARY pp 154, 311,
>SD I  109, 326 ;  SD II  229-30 308 378 380 415 462 494 499 555-9
>564-5;
>Modern Panarion :  p. 42 (to be made);  ISIS I  555-6 ;   II  319
>364-5 564-5
>See also:  SUFISM,  T. Glos. p. 311;
>
>I hope this proves of some help.            Dallas.
>
>From: "Darren Porter" <dport@ozemail.com.au>
>Date: Tuesday, May 19, 1998 7:45 PM
>Subject: Re: Theosophical Doctrines (HPB)
>
>
>>>Dallas writes:
>>>
>>>                    HPB said to be initiated into "Tibetan
>>>Buddhism."
>>
>>How do you define Initiation?
>>
>>Does the TS have initiation?
>>
>>NOS
>>
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